How effective is the ending of Lord of the Flies?

That is a matter of personal preference. I think that it worked, at the very point were the savagery of Jack's tribe had almost reached its murderous conclusion we are suddenly reminded that they are, afterall, just young boys, capable of tears. The irony of the ending is that they are saved from commiting violence on Ralph by an officer in the navy of a country which is probably still at war.